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SOCIOCULTURAL AREA
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Ideally, the sociocultural area complements the science area. This second area in MBB for
History and Science concentrators provides an opportunity to look at the mind, brain and
behavior sciences in an historical and sociocultural context. The sociocultural area courses
should make up a coherent course of study related to the themes of MBB. You should begin
by deciding on a thematic and historical focus, e.g., the history of 19
th
and 20
th
century
American psychiatry; modernity and understandings of the mind; historical perspectives on race
and psychology. This is your opportunity to define the topics and questions that will connect
your courses.
Historical Area
At least three of your sociocultural courses should be historical in nature (normally focusing on
the history of medicine and/or the human sciences); one course must be History of Science 100,
An Introduction to the History of Science, which is a required course for all History and
Science concentrators. At least one more historical course must be taught by a faculty member
from the Department of the History of Science. The following History of Science courses
directly engage with MBB themes:
Historical Study A-87: Madness and Medicine: Themes in the History of Psychology
[History of Science 140: Disease and Society]
[History of Science 145: Medicine and Deviance]
[History of Science 171: Narrative and Neurology]
[History of Science 172. Managing the Mind]
History of Science 174: Critical Experiments in the Human Sciences
History of Science 176: Brainwashing and Modern Techniques of Mind Control
[History of Science 177: Stories Under the Skin: The Mind-Body Connection in
Modern
Medicine]
Depending on your sociocultural focus, many other History of Science courses will also be
relevant. You may also find pertinent historical courses in departments such as African and
African American Studies, History, and Women's Studies.
Auxiliary Area
MBB students may also take two additional courses in one auxiliary area, such as Health and
Science Policy, Medical Anthropology, Religion and Ethics, or Philosophy of Mind and
Behavior. The auxiliary area is not equivalent to your sociocultural focus, but rather provides
an additional social science perspective on your historical courses and area of study. If they fit
within your overall plan, you may choose two additional historically oriented courses rather
than courses in an auxiliary area. If you have ideas for an auxiliary area not on this list, please
consult with your adviser.